Letter 24. To Alonso Ramirez, Toledo, Alba de Tormes, February 5, 1571

Concerning the convent at Toledo.

Jesus be with your Honour!

HAD I as much leisure as vou, I should not be as tardy in writing as you are — -although I do not lack time to pray for you. However, I can bear it as I hear from other quarters that your health is good. May our Lord preserve it as He can and as I desire, and may He permit you, Señor Diego Ortiz, and Señora Doña Francisca Ramirez to live to enjoy so creditable an offering as they tell me the church now is with its chaplains! May He be for ever praised!

I am glad our very Reverend Father General has settled the matter so pleasantly. He is wise and saintly: may God have him in His keeping!

His Majesty knows how willingly I would have stayed longer in your convent: I assure you that since leaving it I do not think I have been free from trouble for a single day. Thank God, two convents have been founded;' this one is the smaller. May His Majesty be pleased to allow them to render Him some service!

I do not know why the body of Señor Martin Ramirez (may he be in glory !) has not been moved into the church, as I hope and pray it may be. Kindly let me know the reason and whether the arrangement you suggested one day is being carried out. O God! How often I have thought of both of you and blessed you when plans were proffered to me here, for if either of you once promised anything, even in jest, it was done. May His Majesty preserve you to me for many years and allow me to enjoy your friendship, for indeed I love you in our Lord.

When you feel disinclined to write to me, it would be well if you asked Señor Diego Ortiz to do so from time to time. I kiss his hands, those of Señora Francisca Ramirez, and our dear little angels. God keep you all, especially our patron,

and may He support you and give you all the graces that I ask for you. Amen. To-day is February 5.

I forgot to tell you that Juan de Ovalle and my sister send you their kindest regards: he never tires of saying how much he owes to you — then what ought I to do?

Your unworthy servant,

Teresa de Jesus, Carmelite.

I did not mention my pleasure at your kindness to Isabel of St. Paul for my debts to you are so many that I leave God to thank you and repay them. You are giving generously: may God be praised for it all! Beg Señor Diego Ortiz from me not to forget to place a statue of my lord, Saint Joseph, over the door of the church.